Day 17 - Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are nearing the end of this First Week (Seeking true knowledge of self), and today’s Feast is a good one to ponder. Perhaps, like me, you are finding a predominant fault that needs God’s cleansing fire. Seeking the praise of men is something that can hide itself in the recesses of my heart, under the pretext of wanting to be a “peace-maker” or not “wanting to hurt” anyone, but I pray by the power of the Holy Spirit, and Mary’s intercession, I can grow humble and seek only God’s glory in my life.

St. John the Baptist was called from his mother’s womb to be God’s voice in the desert, preparing the way for Jesus. St. John was not afraid to speak the Truth to everyone, including those who would seek to harm him. How about us in the Church today? There is “good” fear which fears to offend God, and keeps us from sin. This is a gift of the Holy Spirit which grows from servile fear at the beginning to more and more filial fear which the children of God have for our Father. Like Jesus and Mary, we need to say and do only those things we hear from the Father, Source of all Good.

The father of lies continues to prowl around seeking whom he may devour, but we must resist him, and stand firm in our Faith (cf 1 Pet 5). By God’s Grace, we have been called by Baptism and are preparing now on this journey toward total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, to renew in a perfect manner the vows of our Baptism: to renounce satan, and all his pomps and works and all his empty promises. By God’s grace, let us repent of all our sins and even our imperfections – anything that opposes the reign of God in our hearts!

Please, let us continue to pray to the Holy Spirit for this grace of true self-knowledge and repentance of sin. Litany of the Holy Spirit HERE
Mary most humble, Mother of the Word, Jesus, help us by your prayers to ponder all Jesus said and did, that we may be one with His Heart, as you are. Ave Maris Stella HERE Litany of Our LadyHERE

 

[Dorothy]

MariaChristi,

The desire for human respect is insidious, and something I am praying to be rid of. I, too, am making the 33 day Consecration to our Blessed Mother, as it has always been a great blessing to me.

I would like to share something I received today that ponders the circumstances and martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. It includes beautiful photography, art, and words.

spiritualdirection.com/2015/08/29/celebrating-the-ruins-of-a-king?utm_source=Catholic+Spiritual+Direction&utm_campaign=fee50251d1-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9dd96593f8-fee50251d1-59775773

Peace,

Dorothy

 

[MariaChristi]

MariaChristi,

The desire for human respect is insidious, and something I am praying to be rid of. I, too, am making the 33 day Consecration to our Blessed Mother, as it has always been a great blessing to me.

I would like to share something I received today that ponders the circumstances and martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. It includes beautiful photography, art, and words.

spiritualdirection.com/2015/08/29/celebrating-the-ruins-of-a-king?utm_source=Catholic+Spiritual+Direction&utm_campaign=fee50251d1-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9dd96593f8-fee50251d1-59775773

Peace,

Dorothy

Dear Dorothy,

Thanks so much for your reply and for posting the link. The photos of the Holy Land, the artwork and commentary were all very well done and helpful, pondering this Feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist. May God strengthen each one of us as we continue our own journey towards a deeper union with God.

The final painting at the end of the link was a meditation in itself. The expression which the artist created in painting the eyes of St. John the Baptist was especially beautiful to me. There was a certain sadness, it seemed, which I took as a sign of the Baptist’s forgiveness of Herod, Herod’s wife and her daughter. Much as Jesus wept with sadness over Jerusalem, whom He longed to gather but they would not! Much like Our Lady of Sorrows.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Come Holy Spirit kindle in us the fire of Your Love, that we may be humble.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us.